Evaluation of Knowledge Level of Higher Institution Female Students on Emergency Contraception

Abstract

Emergency contraception, also known as ‘morning-after pill,’ is an emergency method that may be used after missing the usual contraception method, after an unprotected sexual relationship, and in cases of sexual violence and abuse. Since the consumption of the drug among higher institution female students is high, it has become a serious concern due to its sporadic nature. The morning-after pill should not substitute regular contraception methods since failure rate during a whole year higher than regular hormone contraceptives would disturb the menstrual cycle and make the user more liable to get pregnant. Subjects comprised 590 students, in different age brackets and with different social and economical characteristics. A probabilistic questionnaire with 11 questions was prepared for data collection on the use of emergency contraception. Data collection and analysis from 590 questionnaires showed a consumption of 34.8% of ‘morning-after pill’ (n=206); 61.2% (n=125) of interviewed students took the ‘morning-after pill’ on their own accord and only 6.8% (n=14) took it on medical advice. Data show a severe condition in which emergency contraceptive pills are highly consumed by students without any medical recommendation or by other health professionals.